If you don't trust a police officer, running is not the solution

A Whitehouse police officer detained a woman on Friday after he saw her walking away from an abandoned truck.

WHITEHOUSE, TX (KLTV) -
Law enforcement officers are offering up some helpful safety tips after an East Texas woman who ran from a police officer ended up in handcuffs.

Friday morning, a uniformed police officer on a motorcycle was patrolling a Whitehouse neighborhood. The Whitehouse police chief says the officer was looking for suspicious activity because of increased crime in the area. Then, the officer spotted an abandoned truck and a woman walking nearby.

When the woman saw the officer she starts jogging away. The officer asked her to stop and talk to him, but she kept going. Eventually he chased her down, put her on the ground and handcuffed her. When backup arrived, police begin questioning the woman and learned she didn't seem to have anything to hide.

"If there would have been people around me, I would have stopped to talk to him, but there are some bad police officers in this world and I was afraid because there wasn't anyone else around me," she explains.

"In most cases, I'd just say, call 911 and let the agency know that you're being followed by someone attempting to stop you and you're nervous and you'd like to know if it's a police officer," says Van Zandt County Constable Pat Jordan.

Jordan says knowing how to handle a situation you might be uncomfortable in is important for both your safety and the safety of the officer who is making the stop.

"If an officer tells you to stop, you need to stop. You don't have to talk to him. You don't have to answer his questions but if he asks you who you are and you don't identify yourself, he has the right to take you in," explains Constable Jordan.

You are obligated to stop and identify yourself. You do not have to answer any other questions because you have the right to remain silent, but you do not have the right to run from the police.

The Van Zandt County Constable's office had some other tips if you're uncomfortable with an officer who has stopped you. They suggest:

Ask to see the officer's badge and ID cards

Call 911 and ask for another officer to come to the scene

If you're in your car, you can opt to roll the window down just a couple of inches and speak with the officer through the crack

"There are a lot of unique and different individuals that we come into contact with every day. I don't know what causes people people to do what they do, but if you just use good judgement overall... you'll be alright," adds Jordan.

Theaters around the country including right here in Lake Charles are selling out for the movie Black panther. But for many in the community they got a chance to see the movie for free, thanks to one Lake Charles native. The mall food court was packed Saturday. As a large group enjoyed their tea,lemonade, pizza and boudin, but the mall food court wasn't their final stop. Because everyone was headed to the movies to see Black Panther. Marrion Borden was so e...More >>

Theaters around the country including right here in Lake Charles are selling out for the movie Black panther. But for many in the community they got a chance to see the movie for free, thanks to one Lake Charles native. The mall food court was packed Saturday. As a large group enjoyed their tea,lemonade, pizza and boudin, but the mall food court wasn't their final stop. Because everyone was headed to the movies to see Black Panther. Marrion Borden was so e...More >>

Tonight, the showers will start to wind down. There should not be much rain left after midnight. Clouds will linger overnight. It will still be a muggy night, with temperatures not cooling down very much. I’m forecasting a low of 59 degrees, but it may not cool down that far overnight. By Sunday, the same front that stalled over us, will begin to weaken. Therefore, I do not think there will be many showers around. I’m keeping a 20% for a little bit of drizzle overnight.

Tonight, the showers will start to wind down. There should not be much rain left after midnight. Clouds will linger overnight. It will still be a muggy night, with temperatures not cooling down very much. I’m forecasting a low of 59 degrees, but it may not cool down that far overnight. By Sunday, the same front that stalled over us, will begin to weaken. Therefore, I do not think there will be many showers around. I’m keeping a 20% for a little bit of drizzle overnight.

It's been more than five years in the making, but Saturday Captain Daniel Johannes Goos now stands over the lakefront in Lake Charles. Crowds of people gathered by the Lakefront Promenade this morning all waiting to see the the statue of Captain Daniel Johannes Goos. "When you mention Captain Daniel Goos you may get he sounds familiar or if you're lucky you get oh like Goosport," said descendant Erik Jessen.

It's been more than five years in the making, but Saturday Captain Daniel Johannes Goos now stands over the lakefront in Lake Charles. Crowds of people gathered by the Lakefront Promenade this morning all waiting to see the the statue of Captain Daniel Johannes Goos. "When you mention Captain Daniel Goos you may get he sounds familiar or if you're lucky you get oh like Goosport," said descendant Erik Jessen.

KPLC's Black History Month profiles continue with a couple who knew how to let the good times roll. When Bernard Beaco married his wife Dolores in 1955, he never imagined that their move to Lake Charles would be long term. But as the years went by they made an impact, one that can be felt especially during Mardi Gras season. "We did everything together.," said Bernard. "We were a twosome." If you saw Bernard Beaco, Dolores was usually rig...

KPLC's Black History Month profiles continue with a couple who knew how to let the good times roll. When Bernard Beaco married his wife Dolores in 1955, he never imagined that their move to Lake Charles would be long term. But as the years went by they made an impact, one that can be felt especially during Mardi Gras season. "We did everything together.," said Bernard. "We were a twosome." If you saw Bernard Beaco, Dolores was usually rig...

The city of Sulphur reports that all city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th, 2018, in observance of President's Day. There will be no interruptions to the residential garbage collection schedule.

The city of Sulphur reports that all city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th, 2018, in observance of President's Day. There will be no interruptions to the residential garbage collection schedule.